Graphic Designer Designer I

Job Type:
Regular

Position Description
RAND has an exciting opportunity for a talented Graphic Designer to join our Design & Multimedia group within the Communications and External Affairs department. The Design & Multimedia group creates print, digital, and multimedia products that help make RAND research and people more accessible to a broad audience through storytelling and design.
In this role, you will work collaboratively with a team of visual artists to develop concepts and execute on polished visual design for RAND research, which can be complex and information dense. As such, you will be expected to think holistically about a product from start to finish, consider the audience in everything you do, and stay current with best practices in design.
As a designer, you will partner with researchers, publishing teams, and additional stakeholders to define project requirements and build consensus on design approaches. The ideal candidate will thrive on producing elevated, functional products that convey findings with the potential to make an impact in the public policy space.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Design a full range of print collateral, including editorial layouts, one-pagers, custom publication covers, infographics, data visualization, presentations, marketing materials, and more.

Work with publishing teams, authors, internal managers, and fellow team members to develop moderate to highly complex custom designs supporting internal and external initiatives.

Transform concepts, words, and data into clear approaches and story-telling visuals.

Handle large projects from concept to completion, projecting budget for design hours, tracking tasks, and communicating with managers and stakeholders to ensure requirements are met and expectations are managed.

Manage workload in a high-volume, fast-paced work environment, addressing conflicting timelines as they arise.

Format designs for brand compliance, accessibility, and usability.

Build a library of assets for future use, to include graphics, document and presentation templates, and visual resources.

Support standards for quality, professionalism, and creativity within and outside of the team.

Stay current in new and innovative design trends and technologies.

Qualifications
The successful candidate is required to possess the following:
Minimum of 3 years relevant experience working on print design products.

Proficiency in Mac-based, industry-standard software programs including Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro) and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint).

Demonstrated knowledge of typography, composition theory, and color theory.

Knowledge of all steps required for the print process and an understanding of production methods.

Demonstrated ability to work quickly with tight deadlines while maintaining an excellent attention to detail.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and the importance of design fundamentals.

Ability to receive and respond to feedback and creative direction from peers and clients with the intent of improving upon work.

Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of 508 compliance and accessibility standards.

Knowledge of digital design tools like Figma and Datawrapper.

Familiarity with workflow management tools, like Jira or Workfront.

Education
BA/BS degree is required.
Security Clearance
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance and DHS Fitness is required. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Location
This position will be located at one of the following RAND offices: Arlington, Va.; Pittsburgh, PA; or Santa Monica, Calif. This position is eligible for RAND's hybrid work environment, which enables a blend of on-site and remote work. Some on-site presence will be required to meet business needs, including on an ad-hoc basis; on-site needs will vary from week to week.
Work Sample
All applicants are required to provide an online portfolio that displays a range of technical capabilities, design styles, and materials to include:
Editorial Design

One Pagers

Highly designed typography

Infographics

Complex vector-based imagery

Presentations

Multi-page documents

Brands

Salary Range : $73,700 - $107,000
RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including, but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, and expertise; and internal equity. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid time off, and more.
Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet